Heidi Lee of Into The Soup on Food Trends, French Onion Dip, and Chou's Kitchen

From now until we publish the 2016 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times is naming 100 Tastemakers — members of our local culinary community who help shape the way we eat, drink, and think about food in Phoenix. Some you'll know, and for others, it'll be a first introduction, but each person on our list deserves a nod for helping make our city so delicious. Oh, and while you're here, be sure to check out our list of 100 Creatives.

Tune in to KWSS 93.9 any Saturday at noon, and you can count on hearing Heidi Lee chatting it up with metro Phoenix chefs, bartenders, and other members of the local food scene. As a professional chef and radio host, Lee believes in supporting the culinary arts so "dining doesn’t go the way of Walmart," which is why she seeks out the men and women who make up the Valley culinary industry and shines some light on who they are and what they do.

“I really do love meeting new people and giving them the opportunity to tell their story," Lee says. "Sometimes my guests surprise themselves during our little share sessions; but it’s always great fun and we’ve made lots of new friends.”

Lee is a trained chef, and worked in the industry for nearly 20 years before taking her talents behind the microphone. You never know what she'll get guests to spill about on her hour-long show, and today she dishes on food trends and her culinary guilty pleasure.

My go-to place for a sandwich in Phoenix is Romanelli's Italian Deli! Not only does the name rhyme, but their sandwiches are da’ bomb! The first time I walked in this joint, I was immediately tossed back to Tuscany with its amazing array of charcuterie, novelty products, baked goods, imported wines, and the adorable Italian grandpa at the checkout counter!

The best kept secret in Phoenix is Chou's Kitchen in Chandler! I was searching far and wide for "good" xiao long bao, and found it (and so much more) here. They just opened a new spot in Tempe, so I can get my fix more often.

If I could have dinner with five people, I'd invite Captain Crunch and The Cereal Killers. This was the team name for my classmates from culinary school at Arizona Culinary Institute! After nearly 20 years in the biz, I went back to school last summer and had the most amazing experience. What a life changer! Cheers to Shi, Ty, Angel, X, and Tucson. Oh, and Chef Macc!

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I predict the next big food trend will be … I don’t like trends!!! You could trend a fricking potato if you get enough push behind it! Speaking of which, I just Googled it and sure enough, potatoes were trending in 2014. Ugh!!

My culinary guilty pleasure is Ruffles potato chips and Lay's French onion dip, and wait for it ... peanut M&Ms. Sweet, salty and savory! Maybe they should trend that!